U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSION TO HOLD BRIEFING ON U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONS

(Washington, DC) The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) today announced the following briefing:

The dog barks, but the caravan moves on: highs and lows in U.S.-Russia relations

Thursday, March 27, 2014

1:00 p.m.

Room 2103 Rayburn House Office Building

Russia’s flag flies over Crimea, Spaso House is vacant, and there’s talk of a new Cold War. The framework for U.S.-Russia relations appears to be in shambles. And Kremlinology may yet be fetched from the proverbial ash heap of history and pressed into the service of a new policy of containment. Is this chill in relations deja vu all over again or a new and different break? Are bilateral relations doomed to perpetual confrontation? What are reasonable expectations for the future of the U.S.-Russia relationship? The United States and Russia share a long, complex history replete with burden and angst, but also grounds for hope. Arguably, no strategic relationship is as vital to security and cooperation in Europe—a key national interest.

Come for the context essential to understanding the current crisis, stay for a timely discussion on what is to be done.

Panelist: James W. Warhola, Chairman, University of Maine’s Department of Political Science

Moderator: Kyle Parker, Policy Advisor for the U.S. Helsinki Commission

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The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is an independent agency of the Federal Government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military cooperation in 57 countries. The Commission consists of nine members from the U.S. Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.